This book is a record of my experiences in Shanghai under the Communists from April 22, 1949, to April 25, 1959. During those years there were many difficulties, but the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, especially through the Scriptures which He brought to my mind. Hence the title of the book. The word translated 'encourage' has been thus explained: "It means to call upon a person so as to stimulate him to anything', hence to exhort, and to comfort, encourage'". 1 Cor. 4:1616Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. (1 Corinthians 4:16) N.T. note. Encouragement was what I received mostly from the Scriptures brought to my mind by the Holy Spirit: this often included comfort, and there was needed exhortation or warning.
I hope that all who read these records of the Lord's faithful care may be encouraged to trust Him more entirely, and may be exhorted to pray for all who are enduring times of testing in China.
The information here given is largely drawn from my memory. The Book Room records were taken over by the police, and any personal memoranda I destroyed before leaving. My sister had kept many of my letters from which I have collected a good deal. In my Bible I have dates against various verses. I cannot vouch for the truth of all reports that I heard: Many "in distress... and discontented" used to come into the Book Room, especially at noon., when they would find me alone; and they would tell me their troubles, and the sorrows of the Church and of the nation; and we would try to strengthen one another's hands in God, especially by the "blessed Hope" of our Lord's return.
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword...
Chapter:
Gathering up the Threads... 1
Sailing for Shanghai ... 7
Liberation for Shanghai
Departures
The Church in China... ... 31
The Old House
Life Under the Communists... ... 88
The Field of Lentiles ... 110
The Questioning ... ... 142
Six Months of Waiting... ... 155
Some Fragments of Spiritual Food... 167
The End... ... 201